The addition of an antlerless deer/muzzle-loader season in October and changes in county bag limits likely contributed to the decline last week, which is typically the most popular of the year, said John Windau, a spokesman with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.

“I think there’s a variety of things going on,” Windau said.

Deer yields have declined every year since 2008, when more than 116,000 were checked during gun season.

Coshocton County again reported the highest number of deer checked with 2,658, a decline of 14.8 percent from last year. Muskingum and Tuscarawas counties tied for second, each with 2,604 deer checked, according to Ohio Department of Natural Resources numbers released Monday.

Those counties are historically high because of their large deer populations and expansive rural areas, Windau said.

The first day of the season remains popular. More than 22,600 deer were checked Dec. 2, down 22.8 percent from the first day in 2012, when more than 29,000 deer were shot.

In Richland County, hunters checked 1,182 deer this season, down 16.6 percent from 1,418 last season. Richland County ranked 26th in deer killed last week. Hunters in Ashland County checked 1,162 deer, a 6.3 percent decrease from 2012.

In Crawford County, hunters checked 528 deer this season, down 2.8 percent from 543 last season. Crawford County ranked 51st in deer killed last week.

Although deer-gun season is important, the department focuses on reducing deer populations from September through February. Hunters have harvested 162,720 deer so far in 2013, a 5-percent decrease from 171,867 at the same time last year.

“If seven days are down, that’s not real significant,” Windau said.

Ohio ranks fifth nationally in resident hunters and 11th in hunting-related jobs, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The group estimated hunting has a more than $853 million economic influence on the state when equipment, fuel, lodging and other services are included.

Archery season remains open through Feb. 2. The muzzle-loader season is Jan. 4 through 7.